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During the 1990s, NBA player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was suspended for one game for refusing to stand during the National Anthem because he said it conflicted with his religious beliefs. It does not sound as if Kaepernick will face any NFL discipline for his actions.

The 49ers, meanwhile, issued the following statement after Friday's game.

“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony,” it reads. “It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

Colin Kaepernick did not stand during the national anthem Friday and plans to continue protesting. Matt BarrowsThe Sacramento Bee

Sports fans were interviewed regarding 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand during the national anthem at an NFL preseason game. The interviews were done at Sports Station in Modesto, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. (By Ron Ago McClatchymrowland@modbee.com

About This Blog

Matt Barrows was born in Blacksburg, Va., and attended the University of Virginia. He graduated in 1995, went to Northwestern for a journalism degree a year later, and got his first job at a South Carolina daily in 1997. He joined The Sacramento Bee as a Metro reporter in 1999 and started covering the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. His favorite player of all time is Darrell Green. Reach Barrows at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Twitter: @mattbarrows